119. Preferably, the person viewing the dead body should be asked to look particularly at the body and face and engaged in discussion about what facial (or bodily) features he or she relied on in reaching their decision. For example, was it the appearance of the face, the shape of the nose or a mole on the face, a scar or the hair style? In this way, any person witnessing the process can assess whether or not the conclusion of the person viewing the dead body is likely to be reliable. 3. The scientific approach to identification 120. In potentially unlawful death (and especially as time passes and the body begins to show signs of decomposition, or the facial appearance is altered by the effects of injury or fire), any identification by visual recognition must be confirmed whenever possible by using other means, including scientifically reliable methods of identification such as fingerprints, dental examination and DNA analysis. 121. These scientifically reliable methods are sometimes referred to as “primary” methods of identification. Assessments of physical characteristics (such as body deformities, scars or surgical prostheses, as visible on the body or as represented in X-rays), which are compared with records made in life, are generally regarded as secondary methods, although in some cases they could, individually or collectively, approach the level of being uniquely identifying. The identification of personal effects is also regarded as a secondary method. Primary and secondary methods may be combined to strengthen the evidence for the conclusion. 122. If remains are skeletonized, physical/forensic anthropologists, if available, should be involved so as to obtain the most reliable conclusions about the biological profile of the skeletal remains.100 123. The selection of the most appropriate method(s), ranging from visual recognition to sophisticated primary methods of identification, is an expert decision, usually the responsibility of the forensic doctor. The reason for selecting the methods used in a particular case, and the results, must be included in the final report. The results are considered, along with other relevant information, in addressing the question of the identification of the dead body. 22 124. Whatever methods of identification are employed, a methodical and holistic approach, involving the appropriate experts, with complete and detailed documentation, is always necessary. 4. Events with multiple deaths 125. Visual recognition alone should not be relied upon in cases of multiple deaths. Misidentification is more common in such circumstances owing to emotional pressures on those undertaking the viewing. The strain of viewing a row of dead bodies, or a number of dead bodies individually one after the other, reduces the likelihood of a reliable recognition. Additionally, personal effects are not unique, and depending on the processes around the retrieval of the bodies they may have been incorrectly put with the wrong body.101 126. Reliable identification following an event involving multiple deaths requires organizational and technical forensic competence. This applies to: nn The scene, and the proper collection, recording, transport and storage of dead bodies, property and effects nn The mortuary, the post-mortem examination (possibly including an internal examination and dental and anthropological examinations), and the collection and storage of post-mortem data nn The collection of ante-mortem data about those who may have been killed in the event, and nn The reconciliation of ante-mortem and postmortem data to reach conclusions about identity. 127. The approach to human identification in events involving multiple deaths on a small to moderate scale has been standardized by Interpol.102 For such events on a large scale, the work published by the Pan American Health Organization, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the ICRC offers a different approach.103 The two approaches to human identification complement each other and, if circumstances dictate, may be combined. A reliable approach to human identification in events involving multiple deaths should be planned and trained for in advance. 100 See Detailed Guidelines on Analysis of Skeletal Remains. 101 Interpol DVI procedures require loose personal effects to be collected separately at the scene. They must not be allocated to a particular body. 102 See Interpol, Disaster Victim Identification Guide, 2014, at: http://www.interpol.int/INTERPOL-expertise/Forensics/DVI-Pages/DVI-guide. 103 M. Tidball-Binz and D. Van Alphen (eds.), Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters: A Field Manual for First Responders, 2016, available at: www.paho.org/disasters. The Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016)